Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-10-22
HfSLAST BALLOON Assem-
SION.
BY JONAS JUTTON.

For a number of years, in the early
part of my life, was advance agent for
various circuses. I received very re-
munerative salary, but as I was con-
stantly on the go and could hardly find
time to breathe grew tired of it and
embarked in other pursuits, which,
though sometimes not paying me as
much as representative of the biggest
and only show on earth, was great deal
more satisfactory to me.
From 1867 to 1870 worked Van
Amburg's show ahead. During those
three years there was young aronaut,
by the lame of Preston, who travele> !
with us. making ascensions every after
noon. when the weather was propitious.
He was noble-hearted, handsome, in
telligent young man of %, and was a
favorite with the entire company. He
was also strictly temperate, which, GER
tainly, could not truthfully be said of
all the attaches of our circus.
Preston and formed quite an attach
ment for each other, and whenever was
with the circus we were constantly to-
gether. There was q daredevil spirit
about him which one, who knew him,
could not help but admire. He always
insisted on his balloon being tightly in
fated, and no where did he appear as
much in his element as when perform
ing some perilous feet several thousand
feet in mid-air.
Iquit the circus business in 70, and
for several years after that I received
an occasional letter from him, but
finally he ceased writing and I lost
sight of him entirely.
A few months ago I visited Jackson
vile, Fla, for my health, and one day
while there, after heartily enjoying a
dinner, such as can only be obtained at
gulf coast hotel, I Lit my cigar and
started out for stroll around town. I
had walked about three blocks from
the hotel, when Preston and I came
very near running into one another.
"Bless the baby elephant, if here
amt Jutton!" he exclaimed, almost
embracing me in his Joy, and squeezing
my hand so tightly that I could not
help but vince.
He was no gladder to see me than I
was to see him. After asking and an
swering a dozen or more questions,
Preston said:
well, Jut, old boy, what on earth
are you doing down in this part of the
universe anyway? Hope you are 60
ing to remain sometime?"
SWELL, several weeks, guess" I re-
piled. II am merely seeking health
and recreation. And you are married
and living near here" I continued.
"Yes," was the reply, II live in two
miles and a half of town, and you have
got to make my house your home, as
long as you stay in this neck of the
woods, as old Bill Riley, one of our can
vasmen, used to say. I have good
horse and buggy, and will bring you in
town every morning if you wish to
come. 1 know every foot of this coun-
try, and if there is any part of it that
you wish to visit I will take you there
in a buggy or horseback, just as you
prefer. I've two as good horses as
there are in this section of country"
Don't offer any more inducements
Pres. I accept. But tell me how came
you to marry and settle in this part of
the country?"
"Oh, well, that part of the story
must be reserved for another time"
he replied. "Come on; I had just
started to the stable to have my horse
hitched up. We will go out home, and
after supper, while We are enjoying our
cigars on the veranda, I will tell you
the whole story"
The drive to Preston's farm was
over two miles and half of as pretty
shell road as ever saw, and don't
think ever enjoyed ride so much in
my life.
As we drove up to the gate which
led to the stable I was impressed with
the air of comfort and contentment
which pervaded the entire place. Fowls
of all kinds were busy picking up
grain near the stable; dozen or more
fat porkers were granting their ap.
proval of things in . mud hole near a
large pond; the tinkle of . sleeps
bell and the bleat of lamb came
plaintively clear and distinct from the
green, grassy meadow, and several
sleek and glossy COWS were lowing as
they leisurely wendell their way home